MILAM COUNTY TEXAS - Newspapers: The Thorndale Thorn 1904
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The Thorndale Thorn 1904
Newspapers have played an important role through the years by not
only bringing us local happenings in the community but also news
from across the country and around the world.
Over the years many records related to our ancestors were lost or
destroyed in fires, floods and other natural disasters. Newspapers
contain much information that may not be found elsewhere such as
births, marriages, deaths, court notices, land sales, tax notices,
businesses, etc. They also hold many glimpses of information in
their community news and provide us with fascinating details about
the lives of our ancestors. We can all learn a great deal from
reading about our past and in turn we shall have a greater
understanding and appreciation for the hardships and triumphs
our ancestors endured while building a new life in a new land.
Many newspapers managed to survive the test of time and can now
be found at most state libraries on microfilm and most are
available through inter-library loan for viewing at your local
library. There are well over 100 million pages of newspapers
preserved on microfilm in the United States alone.
This is NOT an every name index to the newspapers. Only articles
related to births, deaths, marriages, lynchings, murders, etc.,
for Milam County and the State of Texas are found in this
newspaper abstract. The items included in the book are not
verbatim recitations of the newspaper articles, they are
abstracts or condensed versions. Always refer back to the
original source, the actual newspaper.
This book is comprised of newspaper abstracts from The Thorndale
Thorn newspaper published in Thorndale, Milam County, Texas and
available for purchase on microfilm from
Texas Newspaper Collection
Center for American History
SRH 2.101
University of Texas-Austin
Austin, Texas 78712
Thorndale Thorn - Texas Newspaper Collection, Center for
American History, University of Texas at Austin, Texas -
Reel #2142219427
= = = = = = = = = =
Glossary
inst. = instant, the present month
I.O.O.F = International Order of Odd Fellows
IT = Indian Territory
ultimo = in the preceding month
sic = used to indicate that text it is exactly reproduced
from an original with errors
= = = = = = = = = = = =
Note: First few pages of newspapers on this reel are very dark
and cannot be read. The first pages appear to be January 1902 issues
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., Jan 1, 1904
Issue missing
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., Jan 8, 1904
Note: Very dark issue, it is almost impossible to read.
Note: Damage to issue
Article - Port Sullivan Bridge Accepted
Death - Quarrel Between Friends Ends in Death - Cleburne, TX, Jan.
4th - W. Spate was stabbed about 1 p.m. today and died in a few minutes.
John Bateson is in jail having surrendered to officers. In fact, the
first indication of the affair was when John Bateson went to Assistant
City Marshal Charles McClain saying he had cut a man and wanted to give
himself up. Sheriff Long came up and Bateson went with them to the
county jail where he stated he struck in self-defense and expressed
sorrow over the tragedy. Both men were truck farmers [very dark article]
Accident - Burned by Exploding Gasoline - Refugio, TX - J. B. McCary
who lives 1-mile out of town on the ranch of T. M. O'Conner, while
attempting to cremate the carcases of several cattle upon which he had
piled wood, was burned by the explosion of a can of gasoline with
which he attempted to ignite the wood. He was burned about the face
and neck and from inhaling the flames. His condition is critical.
Accident - Aged Woman Burned - Paris, TX, Jan. 4th - This morning,
Mrs. Mary Cochran, age about 75, was severely burned. She was sitting
by the fire when she became dizzy and fell over. She was burned on
the right hand, wrist and the upper part of the face.
Marriage - R. A. Alford, of the Leander Record, married Miss Delia
G. Fickle of Leander this week.
Marriage Licenses: Sam Polk & Agnes Jackson; George Sherman & Eva
Polk; W. L. Powell & Aurora Archer; Ross Murphy & C. Bell Anderson;
Mike Murphy & Jennie Medows; Sterling Ferguson & Ezra Thompson;
W. A. Mosely & Jennie Mosley; Rosenber Androde & Virginia Ledesma;
William O. Wakefield & Ada F. Harrell; Henry Matula & Mary Hovak;
J. W. Reese & Annie Nelson - Cameron Herald
Death - Woman Burned to Death - Paris, TX, Jan. 6th - Mrs. B.
Lambeth, who lives 15-miles north of here on Red River was burned
to death late yesterday evening. She was an invalid. Her husband
was away from home and her 10-year old step-son and three little
ones were playing in the yard, while she was alone in the house.
The boy went to the house and found her lying in the fire dead.
He ran out and began screaming for help. Two men working in a
field some distance away heard him and went to the place.
Death - Boy Scalded to Death - Austin, Jan 5th - Joy Carpenter,
age 4, sone of S. P. Carpenter, superintendent of the county
poor farm met a horrible death by scaling water. A blind inmate
of the farm had scalded a large pot with water and upon emptying
it drenched the child, which was playing near. Death resulted
in a few hours. The old man could not see and was blameless.
School - Roll of Honor - San Gabriel Public School
School - Roll of Honor - by Elmer L. Lincoln, Prin.
Birth - Gardner - Girl born to J. B. Allcorn, weight 7 pounds
Married - J. F. Smith of Taylor and Miss Edna Jones were married
last Sunday at 4 p.m. at the home of the bride near Minerva.
The couple relocate to this city [Thorndale] and they arrived
Tuesday evening and are boarding at the home of Mr. & Mrs.
Bradford Quinn. [lengthy article]
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., Jan 15, 1904
Note: Very dark issue, it is almost impossible to read.
Note: Damage to issue
Death - Killed a Man & Surrendered - Paris, TX, Jan. 10th -
Will Denny, an unmarried farmer, living along 2-miles west of
town, telephoned Sheriff Carpenter about 1:30 a.m. that he had
killed John Perry and desired to surrender. Perry lived 5-miles
west of town, near Reno. Denny claims self-defense. The
officers are of the opinion he was justified and he is out on
$,2500 bail.
Death - Killed Over 30 Cents - Caldwell, TX, Jan. 11th - Last
Saturday about 11 p.m. on the Chance place in the Brazos bottom,
Tom Johnston was shot between the eyes and killed by Lewis
Montgomery. They were quarreling over 30-cents Johnston owed
Montgomery. Finally Johnston said he would not pay it and
reached for his gun whereupon Montgomery shot him. Montgomery
is out on $350 bail.
Married - Robert Thaler and Miss Lena Fick were married at
St. Paul's Lutheran church this city at 7 p.m. The groom is
an employee of the mercantile establishment of H. Moerbe in
this city and the bride is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs Chas.
Fick of the Detmold community.
Married - Christoffer Schatte and Miss Martha Teinert were
married on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran church
this city. The groom is lately from Giddings and the bride
has lived near Thorndale for some time, having moved here
with her parents [no names given] about 1-year ago.
Article - Miss Oma Peebles has gone to Taylor to lived with
her half-brother E. L. Dance.
Birth - Girl born to Paul Proft
Article - Celebrated Their First Anniversary - Mr. & Mrs.
J. C. Grantham celebrated the first anniversary of their
marriage at their home 5-miles northwest of town last Monday.
[lengthy article]
Death - Adelia Moerbe, age 2, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. H.
Moerbe died last Saturday night after a lingering illness
of several months. Burial was at St. Paul's cemetery on
Sunday at 4 p.m.
Marriage Licenses: Christoph Schotte & Martha Teinert; W. O.
Winston & Lettie Jaimes; Robt. E. Thaler & Lena Fick; John
Horelica & Aggie Gerech; Frank Heintz & Louisa Talfuse; J.
A. Martin & Janie Scott Porter; L. O. Griffin & Ellen
Spreics; Dud Washington & Mable Atkinson - Cameron Herald
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., Jan 22, 1904
Note: Very dark issue, it is almost impossible to read.
Note: Damage to issue
Note: Only 2 pages surviving for this issue
Death - Conoley, Jan. 18th - A good horse on the property
of Mr. Campbell died a week or 10-days ago of blind staggers.
Article - Girl Badly Burned - Rockdale, Jan. 18th - Emma
Seekle, a German girl, age 16, was seriously burned this
afternoon while burning off the grass in a field in
Holtzclaw's bottom farm 4-miles northwest of this city.
The greater portion of the clothes were burned from her body.
Marriage Licenses: Kobe Hoyle & Alzata Pleasant; Alex
Prewitt & Anna Hanks; J. F. Fikes & Maud Fikes; E. T.
Edmunds & Ermie Mesker; A. H. Judkins & Geneva Biggers;
Leigh Sparre & Clara Kirk - Cameron Herald
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., Jan 29, 1904
Note: Very dark issue, it is almost impossible to read.
Note: Damage to issue
Article - Smallpox in Burleson - Caldwell, Jan. 24th -
County Health Officer Dr. B. O. McLean returned yesterday
evening from visiting the case of smallpox in this county.
[lengthy article]
Article - H. D. Kone, Candidate for District Clerk of
Milam County [lengthy article]
Article - E. L. Rasberry of Rockdale, Candidate for
Commissioner of Pct. 4 [lengthy article]
Death - Mrs. Shaffer, wife of Dr. Claud Shaffer of Gardner
died at their home last Tuesday at 8 p.m. of pneumonia after
a lingering illness of several weeks. She leaves a husband
and five little children, all girls, aged 5-weeks to 13-years
[no names given].
Court - Bastrop, Jan. 16th - State vs. August Behring, Jr.,
plea of guilty of murder in the second degree, given 20-years
in the penitentiary.
Marriage - Jno. H. Moses, eldest son of Mr. & Mrs. J. B.
Moses, and Miss Nannie Riddle, daughter of Dr. & Mrs. Riddle,
were married at the home of Rev. J. D. Shelton on the 7th inst.
Rockdale Reporter
Marriage - Joe Hirt, Jr. And Miss Bettie Schestna were
married at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. & Mrs.
August Schestna about 4-miles west of Rockdale, last Tuesday
by Father Gliesner, rector of the Roam Catholic Church of
this place. The parties are both members of two of our most
highly respected German families. Rockdale Reporter
Marriage - John Herelica and Miss Aggie Gerech, both of Ad
Hall, were married on Tuesday of this week at the courthouse
by Justice R. W. H. Kennon. Rockdale Reporter
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., Feb. 5, 1904
Note: Very dark issue, it is almost impossible to read.
Note: Damage to issue
Death - Explosion in Well Opens Pocket of Deadly Gas -
Waco, Jan. 20th - Sam Bell is dead and Charley Johnson is
believed to be dying near Hewitt, 8-miles west of Waco on
the Katy railroad as the result of a blast in a well
yesterday afternoon. [lengthy article]
Article - Milam County Statistics - In January there were
75 births and 21 deaths. There were 58 white births and 17
colored and the total births since the law became operate
are 573 and 209 deaths.
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., Feb. 12, 1904
Note: Very dark issue, it is almost impossible to read.
Note: Damage to issue
Suicide - Dead Body Found - Cleburne, TX, Feb. 7th - At an
early hour this morning officers found the body of Gus.
McCowan with a bullet hole through his heart, lying near the
Santa Fe Y in the southern part of town. Near the body was
deceased's pistol and his clothes and body were the marks of
powder burns. McCowan was a young blacksmith, unmarried,
living with his widowed mother and family [no names given].
He had been in poor health for some time, but was much improved,
though despondent. He left no letter or other communication,
but was last seen in a barber shop at 11 p.m. when he got a
haircut and a shave. Justice Nat F. Higgins held an inquest
and pronounced death came by his own hands.
Article - Shot Woman - Rockdale, Pinkie Brown was shot through
the body last night at the International Lignite mine, 2-miles
east of here, last night. John Powell shot himself through the
head causing instant death. The woman is still alive. Love
affairs caused the tragedy.
Article - Hon. Ed F. English of Cameron a candidate for Judge
of Milam County. [lengthy article]
Marriage - Miller Community, Feb. 9th - A. P. Lyles and Miss
Mary Brown were married last Sunday at 8 p.m.
Death - Mrs. M. F. Doak, age 61, wife of the late Dr. V. Doak,
died at her home in Taylor on Wednesday morning.
Marriage Licenses: Willie Sledge & Eva Moore; John L. Doggett
& Callie Willis; J. R. Holland & Florence Hewitt; Hervis Taylor
& Elmira Panldo - Cameron Herald
Marriage - Gano, Feb. 10th - Aught Ramseur and Miss Gussie
Strader were married Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the home of the
bride's mother, Mrs. Strader.
Death - Gano, Feb. 10th - An infant of Mr. & Mrs. W. S. Smith
died last Saturday evening and was buried at the Pleasant Retreat
cemetery.
Article - Last Tuesday morning W. B. Beard, who lives in the
salty community attempted to kill a chicken with a stick of
stove wood but instead he nearly killed his 2-year old baby
girl [no name given]. He missed the chicken and the stick
bounced acr4oss the yard, one end striking the baby over the
left eye cutting a very ugly gash. Mr. Beard already had his
team hitched and he immediately picked up the child and brought
her to town in a hurry and Dr. Ramsel sewed up and dressed the
wound.
Article - A Northern Professor Says American Negro Will Disappear
Like the American Indian
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., Feb. 19, 1904
Note: Very dark issue, it is almost impossible to read.
Note: Damage to issue
Article - Shot by Toy Cannon - Pittsburg, TX, Feb. 15th -
Ambrose Black, age 14, son of H. Y. Black, was accidently
shot in the abdomen yesterday afternoon while playing with
a toy cannon. Blood poison has set in and hope of his recovery
has been abandoned.
Article - Sam G. Little for County Attorney [lengthy article]
Article - J. E. Tyson for County Clerk [lengthy article]
Article - R. B. Carlton, a farmer living near Cameron has
filed an application for bankruptcy at Waco.
Death - Unity School House, Feb. 16th - News of the death
of Mrs. John Duncan of Conoley has just reached us.
Article - Robert Todd of Sheriff [lengthy article]
Death - Conoley - Feb. 16th - Mrs. Virgie Duncan died at
the home of her mother, Mrs. Sallie Stiles last Tuesday at
4 a.m. Burial was at Connel gravyard. She leaves a husband,
mother, two sisters, three brothers. [no names given]
Marriage - Gano, Feb. 16th - Miss Emma Scruggs and J. M.
Quicksall were married last Sunday at the home of Mr. &
Mrs. E. T. Scruggs.
Suicide - Dallas, Feb. 14th - Sidney B. Swink, age 43,
son of Capt. G. M. Swink of this place was found dead tonight
in the Oriental Hotel with a bullet wound in his right temple.
He and his wife had returned only a few days ago from Colorado
where he had gone in quest of health. He is survived by his
father, mother and two married sisters living here. [no names
given]
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., Feb. 26, 1904
Note: Damage to issue
Article - To Be Tried for Murder - Austin, Feb. 22nd -
Sheriff Matthews has brought from Rusk penitentiary to the
Travis County jail, Alex Teel, negro, who was serving a term
for burglary and is now to be tried for murder. Teel, with
two other negro prisoners [no names given] in the Travis
county jail are indicted for pouring oil on and lighting
the clothing of a half-witted negro youth, Jack Cocoanut,
who was burned to death while in jail. The name of the dead
negro was never learned, he having been given the sobriquet
of Jack Cocoanut.
Death - Went to Jail to Die - Cotulla, TX, Feb. 21st - John
H. Burns, a stranger here, died here in jail where he had
gone at this own request. He was selling spectacles and
jewelry and his valise gave an address at San Angelo. Among
his papers was a receipt for two trunks at Hondo. He had
been drinking and had fallen from a railroad bridge and on
Monday evening accosted Sheriff W. T. Hill and asked to be
allowed to go to jail as he said he knew he was going to die.
Sheriff Hill had Dr. Barhill summoned and everything was
done but he died a few hours. He had only 15-cents and was
buried at the county's expense.
Death - Killing at Blevens - Marlin, TX, Feb. 21st -
William Galloway was shot and killed with a 38-caliber
pistol at Blevens yesterday about 2 p.m. Blevens is a
small village about 23-miles west of Marlin on the line
of Falls and Bell counties. Several shots were fired and
three or four took effect in his body. Wallace Franck
surrendered to a citizen who held him as a prisoner until
Sheriff Greer could arrive. Both men were unmarried about
age 21. The difficulty is said to have arisen over the
small matter of a $1 bet.
Article - J. B. Wolf for Tax Collector
Birth - San Gabriel, Feb. 25th - Girl born to Mr.
& Mrs. Wm. Locklin last week, 14 pounds.
Birth - San Gabriel, Feb. 25th - Boy born to Mr.
& Mrs. Tom Tucker last week
Birth - San Gabriel, Feb. 25th - Girl born to Mr.
& Mrs. Tom Fulcher this week, 13 pounds
Birth - San Gabriel, Feb. 25th - Girl born to Mr.
& Mrs. Will Gutherie this week.
Marriage - Miss Zara Knight and Rev. S. L. Burke,
pastor of the Methodist Church, were married Tuesday
at 7:30 p.m. in Cameron. They will return to
Thorndale on Friday at 4:46 pm and will be met at
the train with a carriage and escorted to their new
home, the Elliott rent house near the hotel, where
the ladies of the Methodist Aid will have supper
prepared for them. After the supper, they will be
serenaded and then the house will be thrown open
for a social welcome and pound party. [lengthy article]
Article - J. H. Franklin candidate for Justice of
the Peace, Beat 8
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., March 4, 1904
Note: Damage to issue
Engravings of Ships - Russian Cruiser Variga &
Japanese Destroyer Akebono
Article - W. A. Nabours candidate for Treasurer
Article - Arthur W. Taber candidate for Tax Collector
Article - B. F. Touchstone candidate for Tax Assessor
Birth - Unity School House, Mar. 1st - Twins born to
Mr. & Mrs. Guy Catchings last week, but one died.
Birth - Unity School House, Mar. 1st - Girl born to
Mr. & Mrs. E. Lankford
Marriage Licenses - John Cato & Minnie Hawkins; Ed Little
& E. E. Donaldson; Robt. Moore & Mahaly Miller; J. H. Woods
& Ella Lowe; Hilliard Emerson & Zella Osborne; John W.
Garrett & Eddie Cavil; J. L. Walker & Jessie Wells; Clark
Dawson & Julia Montgomery; S. L. Burke & Zara Knight -
Cameron Herald
Ad - Thomas M. Cave - Watches, Clocks, Jewelry & Silverware
- Thorndale
Article - T. M. Cave visited his parents in Milano last Sunday
Death - John Mattison, a Russian, age about 35, was found
dead Wednesday about 2 a.m. in the M.K. & T. passenger depot.
He had a ticket from Round Rock to Waco and 45-cents in his
pocket. Letters showed he has a wife [no name given] in Pitton,
PA. Remains were taken to the undertaker and his wife
information. - Taylor Journal
Birth - Stiles Community, Mar. 3rd - Girl born to Mr. & Mrs.
Nesbitt, 10 pounds.
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., March 11, 1904
Note: Damage to issue
Engravings of Ships - Russian Battleship Retvizan &
Japanese Battleship Shikishima
Death - Victoria, Mar. 6th - Henry Atzenhofer, age 27, a
brakeman on a New York, Texas & Mexican freight, was run-over
by his train at Rosenburg last night. While switching, his
left foot caught in the guard rail and was severed just above
the ankle. He was taken to Houston but died in the hospital
there early this morning. Remains were brought here tonight
where his wife and child live.
Article - Giles C. Avriett candidate for Sheriff
Marriage - Stiles Community, Mar. 10th - Will Beard and Miss
Flora Smith were married last Monday.
Article - Thos. M. Cave spent several days in Milano this week
on business.
Death - Earnst Noack, age 26, died at his home on the Michalk
place in the edge of town last Monday morning from typhoid
fever after an illness of about 2-weeks. Burial was at St.
Paul's Lutheran cemetery on Tuesday at noon. He leaves a wife
and two little children besides his brothers and other
relatives [no names given]. Mrs. Noack has also been quite low
with the same illness but is reported to be improving.
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., March 18, 1904
Note: Very dark issue, it is almost impossible to read.
Note: Damage to issue
Engravings of Ships - Russian Cruiser Aurora
Article - O. F. McAnally candidate for State Representative
Article - W. W. Chambers candidate for County Attorney
Marriage - San Gabriel, Mar. 17th - Runned away and got
married, was the news that reached us last week about Will
Baird and Miss Flora Smith. They will now be found at home
with the bride's parents [no names given] on Capt. L. L.
Lee's farm.
Marriage - San Gabriel, Mar. 17th - George Conn and Miss
Emma Rutland last Sunday near Lilac.
Marriage Licenses: C. C. Jackson & Mahaley Horton; Lester
Gentry & Pearl Colburn; Andrew Armstrong & Mary Lou McMillan
- Cameron Herald
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., March 25, 1904
Note: Damage to issue
Marriage - Gardner, Mar. 22nd - Henry Bounds and Miss Annie
Barker were married Sunday night, March 20th.
Article - Jim Hooks candidate for District Clerk
Article - G. P. Noack candidate for Constable, Beat 8
Death - Frank Schwab, one of our most prosperous German
farmers, died at his home 2-miles west of town on the
upper San Gabriel road last Tuesday after a lingering
illness of several months of complicated diseases. Burial
was in St. Paul's Lutheran cemetery in this city.
Death - San Gabriel - Mar. 23rd - During the heavy rain
and electrical storm Friday evening about 7 p.m., lightning
struck the home of Jno. Martin on the Thomas farm, killing
Mr. Robinson and severely shocking the rest of the inmates
of the house. Mr. Robinson with his little boy had gone down
to Mr. Martin's to spend the night and was sitting near the
fireplace, when the lightning struck the chimney, following
it down into the house killing him instantly and knocking
all the others to insensibility. He we buried in the Locklin
cemetery at 6 p.m. Saturday evening.
Death - Jas. A. Hill, age 56, died at his home 6-miles
south of Thorndale last Wednesday at 9:30 after an illness
of about 2-weeks. He was first attacked with the measles
which developed into pneumonia and other complications
which caused his death. He was born in Mississippi on July
7, 1848 and had lived in Milam County for 17-years. He
leaves a wife and seven children (three boys and four girls)
surviving him besides a host of relatives in Bastrop and
other counties [no names given]. Burial was in the Thorndale
city cemetery on Thursday afternoon.
Death - Mrs. Lula Cook McDaniel, age about 23, wife of
J. A. McDaniel of the Conoley neighborhood, died last
Monday about 6 a.m. after a 6-day illness from pneumonia
and other complications. Burial was in the Salty cemetery
on Monday at 4 p.m. She had been a wife for 4-years and
leaves a husband and two small children besides other relatives
and friends [no names given].
Sickness - Conoley, Mar. 28th - Jas. A. Hill and son, Marion
Hill, who were stricken with measles some 2-weeks ago are
still confined to their beds. They have had a serious time.
Mrs. Hill and the two smaller children [no names given]
are improving.
Death - Conoley, Mar. 28th - Mrs. McDaniel of our community
died last Monday about 5 a.m. after a week of intense
suffering. Burial was at Salty cemetery. She leaves a husband
and two small children and other relatives [no names given].
Accident - Cameron, Mar. 19th - The left eye of John Isaacs
was removed here yesterday at the Milam hospital. About a
week ago, Mr. Isaacs dropped a pistol and it was discharged
and the ball entered just beneath the skin on the right
side under his eye and passed through the hose and injured
the left eye so seriously that it had to be removed. The
ball came out on the left temple. The wound was very serious
and the patient is not yet out of danger. The accident
occurred near Braday in McCulloch county but owing to Mr.
Isaacs having relatives in this county he was brought here
for treatment.
Lynching - Houston, Mar. 21st - John Maynard, negro, was
hanged to a telegraph pole today at Montgomery State on the
Santa Fe Railway about 100-miles from Houston. He was
charged with being one of the part of negroes who robbed a
number of Bohemian ranch workers last night and beating
the Bohemians. Maynard confessed and was arrested and placed
in the calaboose from which place the mob took him last night.
They made no less than four trips to the woods with the
negro before finally decided just before daylight to hang
him. Two other arrests have been made and feeling here is
very high.
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., April 1, 1904
Note: Damage to issue
Marriage - Woodbury Norris and Miss Maud Williamson were
married at the home of the bride's parents in this city
last Sunday at 3 p.m. The bride left at 7 o'clock for San
Antonio to enter the Lady of the Lake convent.
Article - Thorndale Needs a Business Men's Club
Article - New Bridge Over Turkey Creek
Engravings of Ships - Russian Battleship Cesarevitch &
Japanese Cruiser Kasagi
Death - Mrs. [Lula A.] Groce, wife of D. H. Groce of near
Hare, died very suddenly Wednesday morning. She had been
ailing for several weeks though not seriously and her
death was very unexpected. Burial was in the Hamblen
cemetery on Thursday.
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., April 8, 1904
Note: Damage to issue
Engravings of Ships - Russian Cruiser Askold & Japanese
Cruiser Yoshino
Death - Unity School House, Apr. 6th - The little child at
the home of L. C. Saur [no name given].
Death - Mrs. [Annie E.] Organ, wife of J. H. Organ of the
Salty community died in Austin on Tuesday. Burial at the
Salty Cemetery on Wednesday. She had been in ill health for
several months.
Death - The baby of Mr. & Mrs. Joe Worley of Rockdale died
Tuesday. Burial was at the Salty Cemetery on Wednesday.
Death - Raymond Clark, age 18, son of Mr. & Mrs. T. A. Clark
of the Nile community died Wednesday at 5 a.m. from
consumption after having lingering several months. Burial
was at the Salty cemetery on Wednesday afternoon.
Accident - Cameron, Apr. 5th - A wreck occurred in the San
Antonio & Aransas Pass yards here last night. While the yard
crew worked at the switch engine which ran into an open
switch and was precipitated into the turn-table pit. It is
thought the switch was thrown by some unknown party. The
engineer, J. P. Brunn was severely, if not fatally hurt. His
injuries bing of an internal nature. He has been in the
employee of the railroad here for the past 3-years.
Accident - S. F. Armstrong of San Gabriel received a telegram
on Monday stating his son, John Armstrong, who is employed by
a railroad company, had been injured by falling between two
cars. No other details are known.
Accident - Last Sunday evening a team belonging to Chas.
Williams ran-away and threw Mrs. Williams out and broke her
left leg. [lengthy article]
Accident - Jim Elliott who is working for Tom Ralston of the
Nile community got his right thigh badly broken last Saturday
by his horse falling on him.
Accident - San Gabriel, Apr. 6th - S. F. Armstrong received
a telegram on Monday stating his son Johnnie Armstrong had got
his arm crushed off while trying to couple some cars on the
railroad.
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., April 15, 1904
Note: Damage to issue
Accident - Mrs. Jank of near Fedor was probably fatally injured
Wednesday as she was leading an unruly mule that her husband
had attached to a plow. The animal became frightened and ran
over her, the blow point striking her in the back, penetrating
the lungs; she was dragged about 100-yards before being
dislodged. Dr. Baine was called in and found it necessary to
cut away a portion of one lung. Lexington Enterprise
Newspaper - C. E. Aikin who recently purchased the Bartlet
News, has sold the paper to A. P. Flanigan. Mr. Aikin will go
to Washington where he has secured a government position.
Article - Jeff T. Kemp candidate for County Clerk
Article - Last week the Cameron Auditorium was sold at auction
to satisfy a claim for about $3,600 held by the first National
Bank of Cameron and was bought by the directors of the Young
Men's Business league with a $2,000 bid. Cameron Hearld
Death - Cameron, Apr. 11th - J. H. Ferguson, manager of the
Cameron Light & Power Co. Died at his home here today about
10 a.m. from the injuries he received Friday afternoon from
a piece of machinery that was out of working order. His
injuries were not regarded serious until yesterday when
evidences of internal injuries developed. He came here from
Fort Worth and leaves a wife [no name given].
Lunacy - Cameron, Apr. 12th - James Hicks was tried and
convicted in the County court on a charge of lunacy. He is
a stranger in this community and was taken up at Milano
some months ago but no trace of his family could be found.
He is a white man, age about 25. He will be carried to the
Austin asylum.
Article - Cameron, Apr. 13th - Yesterday was the first day
of the new Marshal, Mr. Hooks was on duty and he put in most
of the time in driving cows off the streets and notifying the
owners they would be expected to observe the law regarding
cows running at large and that any violations would be punished
by collecting the pound fees. He drove in more than 75 cows
yesterday.
Marriage Licenses - Oscar Allen & Dora Green; Marshall Jones
& Fanny Evans; B. A. James & Addie Taylor; D. W. Cook & Lillie
Buford - Cameron Herald
Death - Leonard Waller, telegraph messenger boy at Rockdale,
who was seriously hurt by jumping from a moving train at Milano
last week, was removed to Rockdale where he died from his
injuries.
Accident - The little baby of Mr. & Mrs. Anzel Welch was badly
scalded last Sunday by pulling a pot of hot coffee over on itself.
Article - Mrs. Chas. Williams who was hurt in a runaway Sunday
a week ago, is still in very critical condition and is being
attended by her mother, Mrs. Holly of Pennington.
Article - Sam Clement and sister, Miss Addie Norman were at
Lilac several days this week attending the bedside of their
mother, Mrs. Lankford who was quite ill.
Article - Amputation Necessary - One week ago last Saturday,
Jim Elliott, who was living with Tom Ralston, was thrown from
his horse against a tree and his right leg was broken just
above the knee. The limb was set by physicians but gangrene
set in and on Thursday of this week, his leg was amputated
about half way between the knee and hip. The operation was
performed by: Dr. P. A. Ramsell, Dr. L. L. Lee and Dr. L. M.
Barnes of this place and Dr. Wm. Terry of San Gabriel.
Death - Lewis, TX, Apr. 11th - Oliver Andrews was run-over
and killed by the southbound International & Great Northern
train about a half-mile from Mart. He lived in Battle and was
formerly from Franklin.
Suicide - Jumped Into a Cistern - Mrs. Schulz, wife of Fred
Schulz living on Cummins prairie jumped into a cistern at home
on Monday evening and drowned. For sometime, her mind has been
deranged, caused by ill health. She attempted to take her left
last week by drinking carbolic acid but the family physician
saved her. Monday afternoon she was in the garden with her
daughter [no name given] who lives close by and Mrs. Schulz
remarked to her, "I don't expect to see you again" when they
parted. While Mr. Schulz was seated at the table for supper,
she went to the cistern and as she stepped upon the top, the
husband saw her and ran to catch her but was too late. He
caught her hand as she went down but could not hold her. The
cistern contained about 4-feet of water. Neighbors were called
and she was taken from the cistern but efforts to resuscitate
her failed. Giddings News
Death - Killing Near Hempstead - Apr. 11th - E. T. Pinckney,
unmarried, age about 37, a brother of Congressman J. M.
Pinckney has been murdered near Sunny Side by unknown colored
assailants. [very lengthy article]
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., April 22, 1904
Note: Damage to issue
Death - Young Nunn Buried - Bryan, TX, Apr. 18th - The
remains of James Claude Nunn, age 22, one of the seamen
killed on the Battleship USS Missouri [BB-11] by the
explosion in the after turret on April 13th arrived here
yesterday from Pensacola, FL. Funeral services were held
immediately after arrival at the home of his parents,
Sheriff & Mrs. T. C. Nunn. Burial was with military honors
by the Bryan Light Guards, Capt. Howard Cavitt commanding.
The body was examined and though badly burned, was easily
identified as Nunn. [lengthy article]
Article - Fight May Prove Fatal - Hillsboro, TX, Apr. 18th
- Otho White and Charlie Johnson, both sons of prominent
farmers near here [no names given], had an affray yesterday
afternoon and the results may prove fatal to White who
received a blow on the head with a baseball bat. It is
thought his skull is fractured. Johnson was brought in by
his father and surrendered to the Sheriff. He was released
on bond.
Engravings of Ships - Russian Battleship Petropalovsk &
Japanese Battleship Mikasa
Article - J. J. Elliott candidate for Flotorial
Representative
Grand Jury Members - Cameron, Apr. 18th - George S.
Graves, foreman; H. J. Hailes; S. B. Ford; T. H. Freeman;
R. N. Turney; J. F. Coffield; Sam Clement; J. C. Hardie;
G. W. Broadway; Frank Zellner & J. B. Baskin.
Death - Buffalo, Leon Co., TX, Apr. 17th - Falls Into
an Old Well and is Killed - Jim Hayne, Edgar Bently
and Col. Reeder left town about 8:30 to visit some young
ladies at Mr. Freeman's about a mile distant. They did
not go by road, but went through a farm, traveling a
trailway. Near the trail was an old well, curbed with
rough stones from top to bottom, the curb projecting about
18-inches above ground. The night was intensely dark and
the young men lost the trail. In wandering around, Haynie
struck his knees against the curbing of the well, falling
headfirst into the well, dashing his brains out against
the stones, killing him instantly. The well is about
30-feet deep.
Deaths - Two Dead - Brownwood, TX, Apr. 17th - Early this
morning Albert Kellton, colored, shot and killed Anna
Moore, then fired a bullet into his own brain, killing
himself instantly. The tragedy occurred in the servant's
room of G. S. Howard where the woman was employed as a
cook. Kellton fired three shots, two of which were at
the woman. One took effect in her breast and the other
behind the right ear. A third shot was fired into the
man's right ear. The city marshal forced an entrance
into the room and found both bodies on the bed attired
only in their night clothes. Both parties came from
Belton to Brownwood.
Deaths - Killed Two and Escaped - Walder, TX, Apr. 17th
- Last night about dusk, Jim Pullin, negro, went to the
house of John Thornton, his father-in-law and shot and
killed his (Pullen's) wife [no name given] and her sister,
Dora Thornton. He shot twice at his mother-in-law [no name
given], missing her. Pullin's wife died in the room. Dora
ran out into the woods and down to the creek, Pullin
following and shooting. Dora was found dead on the creek.
Pullin made his escape and has not be captured. Pullin is
a one-armed negro about age 25 and worked at odd jobs
around town and was considered quite and peaceable.
Death - Walder, TX, Apr. 18th - Jim Pullen, charged with
having killed his wife and sister-in-law last Saturday
night was today found dead by his own hand about 100-yards
from the house where he did the killing. From all
appearances he must have killed himself last night.
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., April 29, 1904
Note: Damage to issue
Article - Manor Murderer is in Jail - Governor Called out
Three Companies State Militia to Protect him from Mob -
Admitted Identity and Guilt and Begged Officers to Protect
Him. Said he was Willing to Hang but did not Want to Burn
- San Antonio Express - The negro that murdered Miss
Lula Sanberg near Manor, Travis County on Wednesday of
last week was hunted by hundreds of men with blood
hounds until his capture. - Austin, Apr. 25th - Henry
Simmons, alias Henry Williams, the murderer of Miss
Lula Sanberg was captured at 8:25 a.m. in the barn on
the premises of Oliver Brush at 710 Colorado St. Within
a few hundred feet of the police station. He has confessed
to the crime. A negro boy [no name given] saw the fugitive
lying asleep in the barn and Police Officers O. H. Gibson
and John Bracken went to the place and found the negro
awake. The negro was a sorry looking spectacle. He was
shoeless and wore no coat. His shirt and other clothing
were torn and ragged. He was taken to the city jail
where he begged for protection and told officers he did
not want the mob to get a hold of him and burn him.
Henry Miller, Will Bridges and John Weaver, all colored,
have known Simmons for several years and they identified
him as the man wanted. He was then conveyed to the county
jail where he was placed in the strongest cell. Sheriff
George Matthews was on his way to Garfield to resume the
hunt when the news of capture reached him. By 11 a.m.,
200 to 300 people gathered in the courthouse yard
adjoining the jail and the alley. There was some talk of
lynching and things began to look ominous that the county
peace officers asked the Adjutant General to have two
local companies of the State militia to be in readiness
should they be needed. Governor Lanham, through Adjutant
General Hulen notified the Austin Rifles and the Governor's
Guard, commanded by Captain John Brackenridge to assemble
at their armories and be prepared for an emergency. The
gatling gun detachment of 25 men who operate two gatling
guns were also ready for orders. The guns were loaded
and the men stationed at the Capital within a block of
the jail. As the hours went by the crowd at the
courthouse and jail grew to such proportions that it
filled the yard lying between the two buildings as well
as the alley passing by the jail. In the crowd were a
number of negroes drawn to the scene by curiosity. The
negroes were advised to leave and they did so quickly.
A delegation of Manor citizens arrived and asked the
prisoner be immediately indicted and hanged. - Austin,
Apr. 25th - At 6 p.m. the Governor's Cadets and the
Austin Rifles, the troop of cavalry and a detachment of
artillery were ordered out by the Governor. [very lenghty
article that spans more than two pages]
Article - H. H. Steadman candidate for Tax Assessor
Article - Gano, Apr. 27th - Willie Chapman, daughter of
Mr. & Mrs. Chapman was badly bitten by a dog last Sunday
about 3 p.m. [lengthy article]
Article - Gano, Apr. 27th - Ollie Brannon celebrated his
25th birthday last Monday. He is the son of Mr. & Mrs.
J. L. Brannon.
Article - Judge R. B. Pool for Re-election as Judge of
Milam County
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., April 29, 1904
Note: Damage to issue
Article - Simmons Confesses and Swings form Gallows -
Austin, May 2nd - Henry Simmons was hanged here this
morning for the murder of Miss Lula Sanberg. The trap
was sprung at 11:05 a.m. and his neck was broken and
dead was pronounced by the attending physician at 11:19
a.m. The murderer did not seem to care his end had come.
He ate a hearty breakfast after a night of profound sleep.
A negro minister was called and baptized him. He donned
a black suit of clothes and announced he was ready to be
hanged. His last statement, "I am thankful to the people
for letting me live this long. I don't want anybody else
to do as I have done. I hope the white people, will not be
against my race because I committed this crime. Many people
think I was a curiosity. Since I have been in prison I have
been treated all right, and I want to thank the Governor,
the President and all three jail officers for what they have
done." It was evident the fiend looked upon himself as a
sort of hero. He felt proud he had attracted so much attention.
The body was cut down and it was taken by a local undertaker
and conveyed to the Bethany cemetery and buried. The victim
was Miss Lula Sandberg, age 18, daughter of Mrs. Sandberg,
a lady who lived near Manor. While Miss Sanberg was driving
alone in a buggy near the Wilbarger creek bridge, she was
stopped by Simmons who struck her over the head with a heavy
walking cane. While half dazed the brute beat her in the
face with his fists and choked her with a window sash cord.
She was dragged out of the buggy and into the brush about
50-yards. The fiend then cut the girl's throat from ear to
ear and fled, upon hearing the horse ridden by Gustav Fritts,
a cousin of Miss Sandberg, approach. Her body was soon found
and a man hunt began. Simmons was captured, convicted and
sentenced to be hanged and he voluntarily waived his right
for an interval of 30-days between the date of conviction
and execution. [very lengthy article]
Death - Drowned While Bathing - Houston, May 1st - While a
number of little boys were bathing in White Oak Bayou in a
pool back of Third St. in the Houston Heights, Harold Hauson,
son of H. J. Hauson of El Campo get beyond his depth and was
drowned.
Death - Mrs. Rick Dies at the Age of 100 - Marble Falls, TX,
May 2nd - Mrs. Elizabeth Ricks died last night at her home near
Wolfe's crossing, 10-miles from Marble Falls at the age of 100
years. She had lived in Texas since the 1860s, coming from
Coffee Co., GA, her birthplace. Her home was the scene of various
Indian depredatoins in an early day and her sons [no names given]
now living took part in some noted Indian fights.
Engravings of Ships - Russian Cruiser Bayan & Japanese Battleship
Shikishima
Article - Cameron, May 1st - The will of Vaughn Ray was filed
for probate yesterday. Ray was an ex-Alabama salve and came to
Milam County about 25-years ago. He accumulated considerable
property, owning 500 acres of rich black land. The will was
written on April 4th and witnessed by Perry Wimberly and John
Watson. The testator named his two sons, Gus Ray and William
Ray executors and gave to his four children all his land and
his wife all personal property [no names given in article].
[lengthy article]
Marriage - J. C. Grantham and wife [no name given] and Miss
Edna Perry left Sunday for Bartlett where they went to attend
the wedding of Miss Ada Stockton who married Mr. Knight of
Bartlett on Wednesday.
Death - Killed by Lightning - Willie Robinson, age about 28,
who lived in the neighborhood of the Cummings crossing on
Little River, was killed by lightning about 7 or 8 p.m Sunday
while on his way home from Davilla. The horse he was riding
was also killed. He leaves a wife and three children [no
names given].
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., May 13, 1904
Note: Damage to issue
Marriage - Romantic Marriage at El Paso - El Paso, TX, May
9th - E. E. Jackson and Miss Lucille Adair Scott were married
last Thursday during the Texas Banker's Association meeting.
[very lengthy article]
Death - Dropped Dead at Church - Taylor, TX, May 9th -
John Christopher Miller, age 66, father of P. D. Miller,
L. H. Miller and C. D. Miller of this city, dropped dead
at his seat, shortly after 11 a.m. during the worship services
at the German Lutheran Church. He leaves a family of five
sons and one daughter, Mrs. George Dollinger, from whose
residence, 3-miles west of Taylor the funeral will occur this
afternoon.
Death - Horse Trader Killed - Denton, TX, May 9th - Al Smyth,
a horse trader, was shot and killed at 10 p.m. at Pilot Point.
This was the 2nd Monday in the town and a number of farmers and
horse traders had gathered. It appears there was a quarrel
between three men on the public square, of whom Smyth was one
and Cal Hicks of Denton another. In the melee, Smyth fell dead
from a bullet wound.
Death - Caldwell, TX, May 8th - County Treasurer Ben B. Hunt
was shot and killed last night at 11:30 p.m. at the courthouse
steps at close range with buckshot. Two shots entered the right
eye and passed through the head. He fell on his face with his
Winchester by him and died in about 20-minutes. Clint Stuart,
Constable of this precinct went to County Attorney L. O. Fraim
and gave up alleging self-defense and is in custody. The funeral
will be tomorrow morning.
Birth - Gardner, May 9th - Girl born to Mr. & Mrs. L. R. Byrum,
13 pounds.
Article - Tom Cave and Dr. S. D. Cox attended the ball at Rockdale
on Wednesday night.
Death - Mrs. Lillian Marley Stiles, wife of Elmo Stiles, dat at
the family home 3-miles west of Thorndale last Tuesday at 11:35
p.m. after an illness of about 3-weeks from a complication of
diseases. She was the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. J. C. Marley of Taylor
and was married about 5-years ago. Burial was in the cemetery at
Stiles School House on Thursday at 3 p.m.
Death - Mrs. Ina Williams, wife of Chas. Williams of this city,
died this (Friday) morning at 7 a.m. after 7-weeks of intense
suffering. She was thrown from a hack in a runaway 7-weeks ago
and the lower bones in her left leg were badly broken and shattered.
Blood poison form this and other complications was the cause of her
death. She leaves a husband and six children [no names given] and
a large connection of family in Trinity and Houston counties and
other sections of the State. The remains will be taken to
Pennington, Trinity County and burial will be next Sunday.
Birth - San Gabriel, May 12th - Girl born to Mr. & Mrs. T. P.
Gutherie on the 4th, 7 pounds.
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., May 20, 1904
Note: Very dark issue.
Note: Damage to issue
Article - Big Ben Country of Texas
Card of Thanks - I wish to express my thankfulness ... wreaths,
cards and sympathy for my daughter, Mrs. Charles Williams by her
mother, Mrs. M. H. Holly.
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., May 27, 1904
Note: Damage to issue
Commissioner's Court - May Term, 1904 - W. A. Christian granted an
allowance of $5 per month for his support.
Commissioner's Court - May Term, 1904 - Sing Beavers granted an
allowance of $3 per month for his support.
Commissioner's Court - May Term, 1904 - William Burgess granted
an allowance of $5 per month for his support.
Commissioner's Court - May Term, 1904 - Fannie Smith granted an
allowance of $3 per month for her support.
Suicide - Taylor, TX, May 23rd - On account of recent domestic
trouble and failure to effect a reconciliation with his wife,
James G. Layfield, an engineer of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas
Railway suicided at the pumping station at Circleville, 6-miles
north of Taylor yesterday about 2:39 a.m., by shooting himself
in the head with a .22 caliber target gun. The shooting occurred
immediately after a conference with his wife [no name given] who
lives in the company's station house near the banks of the San
Gabriel river.
Article - Thorndale's Big Barbecue - Attendance Estimated from
4,000 to 5,000 People - Speakers: Gov. John Sparks of Nevada;
Hon. S. L. Schulder of Waco, candidate for Attorney General and
Mr. Strong of Montague, candidate for State controller. The grand
ball given that night by the young men of Thorndale was one of the
largest attended functions of the kind ever given in the town and
had 20 dances. The grand march was led by Joe Loewenstein of
Rockdale and Miss Ollie Dossett.
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., June 3, 1904
Note: Damage to issue
Death - Killed by His Wife - Batson, TX, May 30th - Judge H. G.
Smith held an inquest over the body of Graham Jones who was killed
by his wife, Clara Jones, yesterday evening. Testimony shows Jones
and his wife had been quarreling and he had called his wife
unbecoming names, which she told him not to do, and on his continuing
to do so, she shot him. Jones was buried here this evening at the
request of the wife, although the parents [no names given] were
communicated with at Greenville and wished the body to be sent there
for burial. The examining trial of Clara Jones will be held tomorrow.
Death - Shoved his Head Under Moving Train - Beaumont, May 30th -
A suicide under sickening circumstances occurred at Nome station today,
just as the Oriole passenger train was pulling out of town. A white
man of good appearance was seen to rush toward the moving train and
thrust his head under the swiftly moving wheels. The act was witnessed
by a horror-stricken crowd. The train was brought to a stop, when the
lifeless body of the man was found lying on one side of the rails and
the crushed and mangled head on the other. The identity of the suicide
is a mystery. An inquest was conducted but no papers or evidence
revealed the man's name and the body was buried at Nome. He was
about 30 years old, brown hair, about 5' 8" tall, well dress. He
had been noticed around town for a few days acting in a peculiar
manner.
Article - J. H. Elliot, Candidate for Floterial Representation
Marriage - Miss Minnie Woody, was married at the home of her parents,
Mr. & Mrs. J. T. Woody in San Gabriel to Arthur Glasscock at 8 p.m.
on Wednesday. The couple retired to home of the groom's father, W. S.
Glasscock. [very lengthy article describing gifts and their donors]
Death - Dr. P. A. Ramsel received a telephone message Thursday stating
his brother [no name given] of near Brenham was dead. No particulars
were given. He left immediately to attend the burial today.
Article - Cameron, June 1st - Major Smith and Will Cochran are charged
before Justice Lankford with criminal assault upon Susie Bowie near
Branchville. All the parties are negroes.
Article - Cameron, June 1st - There has been no appointment of a
successor of Mrs. Anna F. Crawford who recently resigned as postmaster
here. The bondsmen appointed P. C. McGregor as acting postmaster.
Article - Tom Woods Case Affirmed - The Court of Criminal Appeals
sitting at Austin last Wednesday affirmed the action of the lower
court in the habeas corpus proceedings in the case of Tom Woods
charged with violation of the local option laws of Milam County. This
was a test case and as both the Supreme Court and Court of Criminal
Appeals have upheld the validity of the election, this will probably
end all further controversy in the matter. The contention of the
antis was that out of 7,000 voters only 3,500 votes were cast and
that the judge refused to receive votes from those who had not paid
their poll tax claiming that those refused had until Oct. 1st to pay.
Article - Golden Lure of Hog Raising
Death - Mexican Ground to Pieces - Taylor, TX, May 28th - Adolfa
Martinez, age 24, was struck by a southbound International & Great
Northern passenger train No. 5 about 3-miles east of Taylor this
morning and was literally cut and ground into pieces. The remains
were brought to Taylor this morning on a handcar for inquest and
burial. He was discharged from section work a few days ago for
drunkenness and the supposition is he went to sleep on the track.
He has no relatives here.
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., June 10, 1904
Note: Damage to issue
Death - Head Hung Until Flesh Left Bone - San Antonio, June 5th -
While Will Wyatt, a young railroad man who works at the Sap roundhouse
was strolling Sunday morning with a young lady through the woods near
the scene of his daily labors, they made a gruesome discovery. In the
dense hackberry thicket which fringes the Sap right of way east of the
old gravel pit, a man, or what was once a man, was hanging by the neck
from a tree. The body had been hanging for months and the discolored
clothing covered a skeleton from which almost all the flesh has rotted.
The head was bald, showing a few hairs, a fringe of reddish whiskers
clung to the upper portion of the skull, while the lower jaw, separated
from the body, lay on the ground. A small rope, black with age was
knotted about the neck and had cut through to the vertebrae, having had
tied about 6-feet up on a hackberry tree and extended over a fork.
From this rope the body hung limp, the knees almost touching the ground
and the legs doubled beneath. The arms hung by the side, the hands being
small and shriveled and blackened by death and the weather. The clothing
was that of a laborer. An old, discolored brown flannel shirt covered
the bony shoulders and the sharp knee bones protruded through oil trousers
which were of a brown checked pattern. A short distance from the hanging
body on the hillside lay an old sack which seemed to have bee used as a
bed and a bottle containing old coffee. Below at the edge of the field
of Johnson grass in the river valley was a small pit covered with a
rough broiler made of telegraph wire, very rusty. The body could not be
identified.
Death - Dead Beside Track - Taylor, Tex, June 8th - The mangled body of
William Schroeder, a prosperous German farmer, who lived near Coupland,
5-miles north of Taylor was found early Tuesday morning lying beside the
Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway track at Coupland. It is now known how he
met his death but eh supposition is he failed in an attempt to catch or
board the north bound Katy flyer which does not stop at Coupland. He leaves
a wife and family [no names given].
Death - Gano, June 8th - The little Infant of Mr. & Mrs. L. R. Byrum died.
Death - In Memorium - The angel of death visited the home of Mr. & Mrs. L.
R. Byrum last Monday night, June ___ at 1:10 o'clock and took the little
infant babe which was dearly loved. [article & poem torn in parts]
Marriage Licenses - Henry Y. Moore & _____ Awbrey; Ed Lankford & ______
Stephens; Frank Spillman & ______ Bride; H. B. Griffin & __________ . Cameron
Hearld [article torn in parts]
Marriage - Gano, June 9th - Cards are out announcing the June 15th marriage
at Kyle, [Hays Co.] Texas of A. T. Scruggs and Miss Marry Sledge.
Birth - Conoley, June 8th - Child born to Mr. & Mrs. John Moore
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., June 17, 1904
Note: Damage to issue
Death - Trouble Over a School - Waco, June 11th - At Elk, McLennan Co., a
town near the I.&G.N., a shooting affray occurred this morning with three
men on each side, in which R. B. Torrence was killed and on the other side
Dr. Frank Holden was seriously wounded. On the Torrence side, Rivers Torrence,
son of R. B. Torrance, was wounded in the arm. On the Holden side, Dr. Holden
of Prairie Hill; son of Dr. Frank Holden, received a flesh wound in the arm,
and S. W. Perkins, son-in-law of Dr. Frank Holden, was wounded in the arm.
Justice of the Peace Edwards is holding an inquest. Sheriff John W. Baker
and County Attorney O. H. Cross went to Elk to look into the matter. A
telephone message to J. B. Earle superintendent of the independent school
system, states the difficulty grew out of a public school matter in which
several ladies figured in the disagreement, the latter trouble arising
yesterday. The fight was made at close quarters in the main street of Elk
and the weapons used were shotguns, Winchesters and revolvers.
Death - Killed by Kick of Horse - Bartlett, Tex, June 13th - Mrs. Louisa
Schoenfelt, a German woman, age 68, living 8-miles east of here was kicked
by a horse late Saturday evening and died in a few minutes afterwards. She
was turning the horses out of the lot into the pasture when one of them in
a playful mood kicked hitting her in the side which resulted in death. The
funeral took place yesterday evening at the Lutheran cemetery just north
of town.
Death - Sherman, Tex., June 13th - Dr. John Grant, age 52, former U.S.
Marshal of the Eastern District of Texas, died suddenly at his home in this
city at 6:40 p.m. He was rapidly convalescing from the effects of an
accident at Roff, I.T. in which the bones of one hip were fractured and
had but recently been moved home from St. Vincent's Sanitarium. Today he
was more than usually cheerful and expected to leave his room on crutches.
Shortly after 8 p.m. and while his physician was looking after the wound
he exclaimed, "I am smothering to death," and he died in a few moments.
The death is believed to be the result of neuralgia or rheumatism of the
heart rather than traceable to any complications from his accident. He
was a native of New York and had spent the greater part of his life in
Texas. He was in the livestock business at Laredo and his first appearance
in official life was as Alderman in that city. He came to Sherman and was
at one time proprietor of the Binkley Hotel. He was elected to the Board
of Alderman in this city. He became U.S. Marshal of the Eastern District
of Texas as an appointee of President McKinley. He was a Mason and Cherry
Street Presbyterian Church. Burial will be at West Hill Cemetery on
Wednesday morning. His wife, formerly Miss Fay Richards, daughter of Post
Master Tom Richards of this city survives. [very lengthy article]
Marriage - Cupid played a prank Tuesday morning. A young man named Tilly
and Miss Renny came into Thorndale and caught the early train for Austin
where they were married and returned to Thorndale at 11:47 the same morning.
The bride's home is about 5-miles west of here on the new Sandoval road
and the groom is working on the farm for her father. When Mr. Renny arose,
he found his daughter had "skipped" with the hired man. The old man gave
chase but was too far behind. He came to Thorndale and then went on to
Taylor but his search was in vain. The bride was scarcely sweet 16 and the
groom appears to have only passed his majority by a few years.
Death - The 15-month old babe of Dr. & Mrs. Johnson of the Hare community
died last Friday night of cholera infantum. Burial was in the Stiles
cemetery on Sunday.
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., June 24, 1904
Note: Damage to issue
Postmaster - Gerhard Dube has been appointed new postmaster for Thorndale.
Accident - Will Miertschin had a serious accident Thursday morning when he
and his brother Ernst Miertschin went to butcher. They used a Winchester
repeating rifle to shoot the cattle and while Will was working the magazine
lever a shell exploded and several pieces struck him in the face and eyes.
One piece was buried in the pupil of the left eye and it is this eye that
will have to be taken out. He was taken to Austin Thursday evening for
treatment under eye specialists. Johnnie Urban accompanied him.
Death - Brushy Ridge, June 22nd - The infant baby of Will Brown died recently.
Candidate - A. W. Stiles for Public Weigher [lengthy article]
Candidate - R. W. Thaler for Public Weigher [lengthy article]
Death - Found Near Brother's Grave - Fredericksburg, Tex., June 20th - News
reached here yesterday that Arthur Lange, son of W. C. Lang, conducting a
general merchandise business at Cherry Springs in this county, had been
found dead on the Mason road about 1-mile from the store, near the grave
of his brother [no name given], who died of typhoid fever several years ago.
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., July 1, 1904
Note: Damage to issue
Marriage, Conoley, June 20th - Newmon Beard and Miss Annie Sourers were
married Sunday at 6 p.m. at the home of the groom's father [no name given]
by Rev. S. L. Burke.
Article - Stiles Community - In a difficulty last Saturday between Albert
Schultz and a negro [no name given], Schultz was struck over the head and
his skull fractured. His condition was very critical.
Estate - A Model Negro - Cameron, June 26th - An inventory and apprasiment
of the estate of Vaughn Ray, deceased, was filed yesterday and the value was
$17,350 of which $13,950 was real estate. He left $2,000 in insurance.
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., July 8, 1904
Note: Damage to issue
Article - "Negro Slashed Negress - Eagle Lake, Tex., July 8th - About 10
p.m. last night loud hollooing was heard in the residence part of town to
which not much attention was paid at the time, but this morning it was
learned Ann Kelley, a negro woman had been slashed terribly with a knife
at the hand of a negro man. She was ripped from the head along the arm and
up across the throat and from the throat was crossed by another. Her
windpipe was cut across and chances are she will not recover. Kelley is
nearly blind, being only able to see how to walk. Ed Owen, age about 40,
was arrested for the crime. Owens has a wife [no name given] and used to
be an industrious and good negro and was considered reliable. The woman
had started to town from a church supper and it is supposed jealousy
provoked the deed, as he overtook her, with the results as stated. She
was in the company of a man [no name given], who ran away when the
cutting began.
Article - Shot in a Melon Patch - Nacodoches, July 4th - A telephone message
from Chirine today stated that Capt. H. V. Fall shot and killed a negro boy
and wounded another [no names given] , in his watermelon patch yesterday
evening. Capt. Fall is commander of the U.V.C. at this place.
Death - Killed at a Dance - Newton, Tex., July 3rd - News reached here of
the killing of William Bean, a young white man at Old Salem, this county,
about 25-miles south of here. He was at a dance and there was a free for
all fight in which he was engaged.
Death - Boy Killed His Father - Rusk, Tex., July 4th - A. J. Taylor, age
about 40, a white farmer, was killed this morning at Gallatin, 7-miles
north of here. His sons William Taylor and Ike Taylor are in jail charged
with the killing. Taylor separated and was divorced from his wife [no name
given] about 2-years ago. His sons lived with their mother and it is claimed
by the boys that Taylor came back to make them leave their mother. William
came into the store where Taylor was with a pistol and the boy fired a shot
to frighten his father. The father attempted to draw a pistol on the boy
and the boy shot and killed his father. The boy is age 16. T. J. Slovall,
Justice of the Peace has gone out to hold an inquest.
Death - Charged with Killing - Victoria, Tex., July 3rd - Joe Barefield,
colored, was jailed here yesterday by Deputy Sheriff Newmeyer, charged
with shooting and killing Will Mathis, colored, at Mission Valley on Friday
night. Barefield admits the killing.
Engraving of Ship - Japanese Battleship Yashima
Death - Killing at the Taylor Fair - On the Fair Grounds at Taylor on
Tuesday evening, Fuller Williams, a farmer who lived near Granger, was
shot and killed by S. R. Houchins, a farmer who lived in the Laneport
neighborhood. The parties had some trouble about a year ago which led to
the killing. Houchins is favorably known in the San Gabriel area.
Marriage - B. F. Walker and Miss Rena Graves were married at the home of
Justice Scott in Taylor last Tuesday evening. On account of parental
objections cupid had to play his tricks. The license had been secured
and the couple left the bride's home to attend the Fair. They soon returned
and went to the home of Judge Scott where they were married. They will leave
for Matagorda where they will make their future home.
Death - Father and Son Shot - Paris, Tex., July 5th - Winston Maroney died
at his home near Paris in the southern part of the county. He was shot
Sunday evening in a family quarrel. Miles Maroney, son of the dead man is
in critical condition the result of a wound in the groin from the same
pistol that killed his father. Authorities are search for Maroney, who is
the nephew of Winston and a cousin to the girl [no name given] to which he
was paying attention. The young man has not yet been apprehended. A posse
is after him. The Maroneys are an old an highly respected family and all
but Al Maroney have been here many years and dame from Tennessee last fall.
Suicide - Jumped from Cliff to Death - New Braunfels, Tex., July 5th -
Fritz Panthermuehl, a citizen of this county, living at Sattler, committed
suicide Monday by jumping from a cliff into the Gaudalupe river. Bad health
is the cause.
Marriage - Gano, July 6th - Newman Beard and Miss Annie Sauer were quietly
married on Sunday June 28th at 6 p.m. by Rev. S. L. Burke.
Marriage - Gano, July 6th - Ollie Brannon went to Bastrop and married
Miss Lizzie Rice and are now living at the home of J. L. Brannon.
Birth - Gano, July 6th - Girl born to Mr. & Mrs. W. H. Talley last Saturday.
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., July 15, 1904
Note: Damage to issue
Scholastic Census of Milam County - There are 7,381 pupils with 5,411 white
and 1,970 colored. Of the whites, 2,852 are males and 2,559 and females.
Of the colored, 1,071 are males and 953 are female. Cameron Herald
Marriage Licenses: J. P. Parker & Rosa Jones; W. W. Outlaw & Madie Bankston;
Nigie Coleman & Corine McDade - Cameron Herald
Death - Mrs. May Moseley died July 10, 1904 at San Gabriel at 12:30 Saturday
night of consumption. She was born Oct. 13, 1880 and was the daughter of Mr.
& Mrs. Henry Baird and was married to Luther Mosely in Sept. 1896. She had
lived in San Gabriel during her life and had been ill for 9-months. Her last
words were, "I am weary and tired I want to rest." Services were held at the
church by Bro. Lincoln and burial was in the Locklin cemetery. She leaves a
husband and sweet little baby [no names given]. [very lengthy article & poem]
Engravings of Ships - Japanese Protected Cruiser Chitose & Russian Battleship
Pobieda
Suicide - Seventeen Year Old Son Commits Suicide - Kennedy, Tex., July 10th
- Griffin Nichols, age 17, son of Mr. & Mrs. J. D. Nichols of this place
committed suicide here about 5 p.m. this evening by taking a large dose of
strychnine. Medical aid was called but nothing could be done. He lived about
1-hour. Several months ago while the deceased was out in the woods after wood,
the wagon was overturned, killing his brother [no name given], which has since
preyed on his mind and is supposed to have been the cause of the rash act.
He left a note to his mother which had not been made public.
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., July 22, 1904
Note: Damage to issue
Death - Arrested on Charge of Murder - San Antonio, July 17th - Jim Dolley,
age about 20, was arrested on a charge of having killed Harry Sainer of
Tennyson. Sainer was shot twice while working in a field near his home
Thursday and died from his wound Friday night. Sainer was to have been married
soon was buried in his wedding suit.
Court - Hearne, Tex., July 18th - M. L. White, accused of killing Jesse
Haltum at Benehley a few weeks ago, was give 5-years in the penitentiary.
A misunderstanding about some plows led to the killing.
Death - Killed Wife's Visitor - Kaufman, Tex., July 18th - Tom Stevenson,
negro, shot and killed Tom Nash, negro, here yesterday. Stevenson, who is
married, had been working somewhere away from town and returned yesterday,
finding Nash at his home, where the killing took place. After the first
shot, Nash grabbed a child [no name given] of Stevenson's and held it in
front of him, thinking to shield himself, but Stevenson fired several more
shots, one of which made a slight wound on the child's side. When Stevenson
began firing, his wife [no name given], fled. Nash died about 2-hours later.
Stevenson is in jail.
Marriage - Salty, July 18th - Tom Caffey and Miss Nettie Tucker were
married Sunday at 4 p.m. at the home of A. L. Tucker by Rev. Chatman.
70th Wedding Anniversary - Cameron, July 18th - Mr. & Mrs. G. Pool
celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary at their home near Buckholts on
July 3rd. Mr. Pool was born in Edgefield, SC on Aug. 31, 1812 and moved
to Perry Co., AL in 1820 and married Miss Alpha Russell on July 3, 1834
and moved to Milam Co., TX in 1870. Mrs. Pool was born Aug. 1, 1817. There
were 12 children born, six boys and six girls. All the children lived to
be grown and eight are now living. There are 52 grandchildren, 41 now
living; 72 great-grandchildren, 63 now living; two great-great-grandchildren,
making a total of 138 descendants with 114 living, only seven adults and
17 children having died in 70 years [no names given]. [very lengthy
article]
Birth - Conoley, July 21st - Boy born to Mr. & Mrs. Sim Scuddy.
Birth - Conoley, July 21st - Boy born to Mr. & Mrs. Jim Hill
Birth - Conoley, July 21st - Twin girls born to Mr. & Mrs. Waddell
Burkhart.
Death - An Old Settler Gone - J. W. Hamblen, age 84, also known as "Uncle
Johnny" died Thursday about 4 p.m. at his home 5-miles west of Thorndale.
He was one of the oldest settlers of this part of the State, having located
on the place where he died back in the 1840s. He is survived by a wife and
one son [no names given]. The funeral will be from the family home Friday
at 11 a.m. with burial in the family burying ground on the farm.
Post Office - Gerhard Dubee took charge of the office Tuesday morning and
has employed Miss Addie Norman to assist him. He will let the office remain
where it is until the new brick on the south side is completed and Mr.
Smith moves his stock down there.
Birth - Girl born to Mr. & Mrs. Commodore Perry last Saturday night.
Death - The infant of Mr. & Mrs. J. J. Elliott was buried in the city
cemetery on Monday afternoon. Mrs. Elliott is improving nicely.
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., July 29, 1904
Note: Damage to issue
Death - Killed the Cook - Orange, Tex., July 27th - J. J. Rimes, age
about 40, white, died at 1:20 p.m. today and Sam Johnson, age 25, colored,
got into a difficulty in the kitchen of the Holland Hotel and Rimes shot
Johnson twice, both balls striking the left breast in the immediate region
of the heart and Johnson dropped dead. Another shot was fired that went
wild. Rimes has lived at Vandalia, GA and has a family in Georgia. Johnson
was unmarried.
Death - Rough Frolic Costs Young Man Life - Bellville, July 25th - As the
result of a rough frolic at practice by the local band, Richard Weitstruck
is dead from the effects of being struck with a brick. Sam Cumings is under
arrest, charged with having thrown the brick. Both are about age 20. There
had been a rough frolic in the room where the band was at practice and as
Weitstruck left the hall he was hit in the head with a brick. He was taken
home by his brother and never spoke again, the skull having been fractured.
Death - Bed-Ridden Mexican Killed - Segain, Tex., July 25th - Antonio Garza,
an aged, well-to-do Mexican, was killed at Clear Springs in this county
yesterday. The sheriff brought in two Mexicans charged with killing whose
names have not been learned. The killing was atrocious, owing to the fact
that Antonio was very sick in bed at the time. A shotgun was used.
Supplemental - World's Fair at St. Louis - Many Articles & Photographs
Photo - Texas Building at the Fair
Photo - Cascades
Photo - Bird's Eye View of Grounds
Photo - Varied Industries Building
Photo - U.S. Government Building
Photo - Looking from West Cascades
Photo - Looking East from Electrical Building
Photo - Restaurant Pavilion
Photo - Liberal Arts Building
Photo - Cliff Dwellers Building
Photo - Light & Darkness Palace of Electricity
Photo - Cowboy at Rest
Photo - The Blizzard
Marriage - Lon Johnson and Miss Nora Baird, both of San Gabriel were
married last Sunday.
Marriage - Cards have been issued announcing the marriage of W. T. Johnson
to Miss Lena Terry on Wednesday, Aug. 3rd at 8:30 p.m. at the San Gabriel
Church.
Birth - Girl born to Mr. & Mrs. Malcolm Gilchrist this week.
Suicide - His Sin Overtook - El Paso, Tex., July 24th - After wandering
over the entire continent trying to escape the wrath of a father whose
daughter he betrayed, Charles E. Quinn of Toledo, OH, on receiving a
letter today from "A Friend" saying he had been located and would be
arrested, ended his life with laudanum, leaving a letter excoriating his
sister for alleged desertion of him in his hour of trouble. His mother
wired to have the body shipped home.
Death - Farmer Assassinated - Liberty, Tex., July 25th - John White, age
about 40, farmer, who lived within the city limits near the Trinity river,
about 1-mile from the courthouse was shot dead this morning at his door.
He was unmarried and lived with his aged mother. Mrs. White states her
son had milked the cows and had returned to the house when she heard the
discharge of a shotgun and on going to the front door, found her son dead.
The shot entered the breast of the deceased.
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., Aug. 5, 1904
Note: Damage to issue
Arrest - Gammage Fatally Shot - Cameron, Aug. 1st - T. S. Jenkins
surrendered to Sheriff Avirett today and said he had shot T. F. Gammage
near Yarrellton this morning. He was placed in jail on charge of assault
with intent to murder. Gammage was perhaps fatally shot with a double-
barrel shotgun. Both parties live on the same farm and are married.
The cause of the shooting is not known.
Bridges - Cameron, July 30th - Commissioners' Court yesterday afternoon
awarded the building of a new steel bridge across the San Gabriel River
at San Gabriel to Q. C. Horton of Austin, contract price $3,775 and also
to repair the bridge across Brushy Creek at a cost of $550.
Death - Coloney, Aug. 4th - Lois Moore, age 2-months 17-days, infant of
John Moore died at the family home.
In Memorium - Poem for May Lois Moore, age 2-months & 14-days by M. A. &
J. N. Moore, July 31, 1904.
Organizing - Old Settlers Association at Georgetown, Saturday, Aug. 27th.
Open to all old settlers who came Williamson county prior to 1870 and
their lineal descendants. Bartlett Tribune
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., Aug. 12, 1904
Issue Missing
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., Aug. 19, 1904
Damage to masthead - date estimated by Texas Newspaper Project
Note: Damage to issue and dark in places
Note: Many of the local articles are dated Aug. 9th so this could be
portions of the missing Aug. 12th issue or the Aug. 19th issue might be
the one missing ....
Marriage - Gano, Aug. 9th - Sam McQuirter, Jr. and Miss Maud Burris were
married by Bro. a. A. Wilder last Sunday evening.
Marriage Licenses: Toll Lively & Eva Baker; David Davis & Alma Pruett;
David Anderson & Elize Boldin; Sam McWirter & Maud Burris; Ben Thompson
& Bettie Wilson; John Webb & Malica Spencer; C. W. Worden & Susie Pickett;
Hurd Harris & Eliza Williams; R. F. Daniels & Susie Yarborough; Will
Johnson & Birdie Miller; B. G. Rice & Alma Fuller - Cameron Herald
Death - J. J. Greer, age about 67, died at his home on the Stiles farm
about 3-miles west of Thorndale last Monday from malarial poison. He and
his family [no names given] moved to this section about the first of this
year from Tennessee. Burial was in the Stiles cemetery on Tuesday afternoon.
Death - The 3-week old baby [no name given] of Mr. & Mrs. P. H. Hastings,
who live 4-miles west of Thorndale died from an attack of measles Tuesday
night. Burial was in the Stiles cemetery on Wednesday afternoon.
The Thorndale Thorn, Fri., Aug. 26, 1904
Note: Damage to issue and dark in places
No abstracts
The Thorndale Thorn - No Issues found for Sept. 1904
The Thorndale Thorn - No Issues found for Oct. 1904
The Thorndale Thorn - No Issues found for Nov. 1904
The Thorndale Thorn - No Issues found for Dec. 1904
[end of newspapers for 1904]